they're working and shopping from home and see driving as an expensive hassle. 30-year-old nick johnson from printston, new jersey, last had a car when he was 18, choosing instead to travel by bike. he says commuting is a lot more fun on a bike, environmentally friendly and just practical. >> i don't have to park, pay for car payments, automobile insurance which i hear is expensive in jersey. it's a form of entertainment and exercise. >> reporter: research shows nick is becoming the norm. the number of young people between ages 14 to 34 without drivers licenses has increased from 21% to 26% between 2000 and 2010. during that time driving as a whole has dropped by 23% among 16 to 34 years old while those most likely to buy a car from 2007 to 2011, the age group shifted to 44 to 64. some say high student loans and i bad economy are reason. others say this is more than a temporary shift, noting sharp decreases in driving in rural areas and among after fluent young people. >> it used to be a rite of passage to get a driver's license and now it's not uncommon for people to say why bother. >>